An Original Cartoon A Day

[Davey Do]

Thank you so much for your support comment, In Awe of Him.

I can identify and commiserate with your feelings of "intimidation", for it is a feeling which I experience when approaching new media or a commissioned project. "I can't do this!" rings in my head and I will let you know how I overcome that feeling:

I let go of any expectation that I need to produce a "good" product and get into the process. It is said that the only thing we truly possess is this moment and I get into the moment, the "aesthetics of the transitory".

We all like to have a product to show for our expended energies, and if I am displeased with that product, I do it over and over and over again, sometimes even more displeased with the product. Yet, when I separate myself from the product and come back to it, I see it in a new light, and am okay with it, not focusing on the mistakes.

You mentioned "supplies" for which you paid for or were gifted to you. Oh, that is an impediment for me, for I need not waste good art implements with my bad products. To this day, some 30 years ago when art became a daily thing for me, I continue to feel this way. What I do nowadays to relieve that feeling of high expectation is to purchase cheap supplies to just play with, for the majority of these cartoons are created on a cheap Walmart 97 cent notebook tablet using a Pilot gel pen and Sharpie highlighters.

Using inexpensive or cheap materials really allows me to let go and express myself and if a good idea comes out of it, I'll recreate with my better materials. For example, January 6 image was sketched in my cheap notebook and I liked the idea, but wanted to get an old magazine feel with it, so I used my more expensive watercolor paper and pencils.

I would enjoy seeing some of your work should you feel comfortable posting it, In Awe of Him.

P.S: Something else I'll do to get into the groove is just scribble on a piece of paper. For a lot of reasons, that helps me to let go and create.

 

[In Awe of Him]

Davey D0 What an absolutely pleasant and beautiful exhortation you have given me.

I think I shared somewhere that I have a friend who made me a most beautiful junk/art journal. the cover was hand made by her... painted and sewn. Now that creation is intimidating but I so want to use it... however... I absolutely understand that I need some practice before I do. My goal is to fill it before I die with things that my daughter will enjoy.

I do have a bound journal with blank pages... It's the size of a normal notebook or school book... the standard letter-head size of loose leaf paper. The problem I am having is that it is hard bound.... and that is something I can't seem to get over. I am good to go with loose leaf paper because if I make a mistake... I simply throw out the one page and start over.... BUT... with the bound notebook... well..... you know what I mean..... and this fear overtakes my entire CREATIVE process.

I will however attempt to do an assignment with your ADVICE about ignoring the finished product and simply focusing on the moment. I am so good at this when it comes to actually living life... I have learned to savour the moment for what is and I get such pleasure out of that.

I am off to the grocery store... My friend Margaret is coming to collect me.

Thank you for your beautiful and encouraging words.

 

[Davey Do]

Thank you for your kind words, comments, and for furthering this discussion In Awe of Him.

That is one good looking journal of which it would be easy to understand your intimidation. My wife gifted me a handmade leather-bound journal two Christmases ago and I just recently found a subject for its use: Biblical illustrations. I started a thread on this-

Biblically Inspired Art

bobinfaith asked me, in another thread, how long I've been an artist. Not wanting to derail the topic, I started this thread. If this thread is not appropriate for this forum, of course staff may move it. Asking an artist to talk about their art is like asking a parent to talk about their...

christianforumsite.com

-and continue to sporadically work on it.

Overcoming inertia or experiencing a type of writer's block is a common situation for artists and can be deal with through a technique advised by Julia Cameron in her book, The Artist's Way called Morning Pages. Ms. Cameron suggests that for 15 minutes after arising, we write down whatever comes to mind, paying no heed to penmanship, spelling, punctuation, or grammar, we just write. The method is a great catharsis, clearing our minds for inspiration.

I started doing Morning Pages 30+ years ago but found that I wanted to illustrate an idea which popped into my head during the process, so I tooled it to do so. I found that if I just wrote using pencil and an idea would pop into my head, I'd draw an image over the words and maybe use an ink pen to make it stand out, for many of my narratives are essentially boring in review.

Here is a recent example:

I would also suggest that every illustrator to come up with their own comic character, as mine is Davey Do, and he has been very therapeutic for me. Davey Do is and isn't me, in that he can do and say things which I cannot and/or will not do. He can criticize me as he is an extension of me, plus I find self-deprecating humor enjoyable, in that there is no true victim- the perpetrator is the victim

A final word: You mentioned "throw out" the work and I would advise to keep all work, for they are great references, and you can see your own progress. I learned the hard way, as I threw out notes and works at times of my life which I would enjoy reviewing now.

However- and this is as equally and possibly more important- we must learn to let our works go. I learned to easily do this when painting murals for the local community theatre, for my most beautiful works were painted over when the current production had run its course. A valuable lesson learned.

Great discussing this with you, In Awe of Him, and I wish you the very best in pursuing your talent which is a blessing from God.​

 

[In Awe of Him]

Oh my goodness..... I will start my morning page in the morning. I will come to the table without expectation. Thank you for your encouragement and explanations. This has actually helped me greatly in understanding.

I am not an artist... but I am a writer... and I love colour but never use it.... so... let the journey of creativity begin.

God bless you Davey D0 ... Your work is absolutely DELIGHTFUL.

 

[Davey Do]

So, you are a writer who loves color. That's great!

Have you ever considered illustrating your narratives?

Miles Davis said that when he played his horn, he saw colors and also painted. Do you see colors or images when you write? Do you feel like God speaks to you as you put down words? Do you feel like a channel of His power?

I ask these questions in a rhetorical manner because, as the type of person you are, you probably do.

A power guides me as I do art which I often refer to as my "Inner Artist", but that's just another name for God. As I said in my initial post, my talent is a gift from God, and I want to share that gift. I am merely His channel.

Again, thank you for potentiating this thread, for your interesting comments, and for the kind words.

 

[In Awe of Him]

Well.... I definitely think I have an inner writer... writing comes so easily to me... I would rather write/type than to speak verbally... which is probably why I reject the telephone.

I love colour.... I love flowers.... I love the sky... I live on the lake and love the waves... oh how I love the waves... they speak to me so loudly.
My soul is a poetic one ( I think )... yet I am jaded by reality and the knowledge that not everything is pretty or good.

I call myself a realist... some would call me a person who has a poverty mentality... yet I know that I am the richest woman on this planet. My gratitude and JOY are overlowing on a daily basis and it has been that way constantly since I was supernaturally healed of severe chronic depression three and a half years ago.

I don't know how to put colour together... and I don't understand the form of drawing... but I recognize beauty. So.... I do think I can make this work... I have water colours.... special weighted water colour paper... a plethora of markers and pencil crayons... and so I will use this journal to write... and will add colour. I will also invite Jesus to help me... which is something I always do. HA.

This conversation has kissed my heart with such JOY.... I think God is telling me that it is my year to finally begin to CREATE. I have wanted to find a way/ and outlet to share my overflowing JOY. Something to leave my daughter when I am no longer here.

 

[In Awe of Him]

Do you see colors or images when you write? Do you feel like God speaks to you as you put down words? Do you feel like a channel of His power?

I have never thought about it... I just write.

 

[Davey Do]

I have never thought about it... I just write.

"Just writ(ing)" is a process which comes naturally to you- it flows from you, as art does for me.

I, also, didn't really think about it once I got over the "not good enough" phase. I often said that doing art was my escape, my analgesic, my antianxiety when I paused to consider my state. I became more calm & relaxed much like one who meditates or prays in times of stress, when it hit me:

Since childhood, I had said my artistic talent was a gift from God, often half-heartedly, when the revelation came to me that God was, and is, using me as a channel! It is up to us- the free will thing- how we use the power which God gives us. Edgar Cayce said something along the lines of, "The force which results in the greatest atrocities could also result in the greatest acts of humanity".

God has guided me, sometimes kicking and screaming, to the greatest of life's gifts one could ever experience. I, like you, In Awe of Him, feel like "the richest (person) on this planet", for I don't know where I would be had God not given me this gift.

 

[In Awe of Him]

Good morning Dear Mr. Artist.... LOL

This morning I went through all my craft supplies. I decided to throw some things out such as those really cheap pens you get sent as fund raiser gimmicks etc.... It wasn't a lot but these are of such poor quality... it's just not worth keeping.

Anyways... all my markers were sampled to see if they still have ink.... and I am happy to report that I have a good supply or paint brushes... markers ... pencils.... all kinds of gel pens and even a gold and silver marker type pen.

This was my artistic task for the day and I am also trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle... so I finally got the border constructed.

I am not going to allow myself to get overwhelmed... Will simply open the page for the day and add to it through out the day, I have no idea what I'm doing so it's going to be simple.

Have a wonderful day.

 

[bobinfaith]

"Just writ(ing)" is a process which comes naturally to you- it flows from you, as art does for me. I, also, didn't really think about it once I got over the "not good enough" phase. I often said that doing art was my escape, my analgesic, my antianxiety when I paused to consider my state. I became more calm & relaxed much like one who meditates or prays in times of stress, when it hit me: Since childhood, I had said my artistic talent was a gift from God, often half-heartedly, when the revelation came to me that God was, and is, using me as a channel! It is up to us- the free will thing- how we use the power which God gives us. Edgar Cayce said something along the lines of, "The force which results in the greatest atrocities could also result in the greatest acts of humanity". God has guided me, sometimes kicking and screaming, to the greatest of life's gifts one could ever experience. I, like you, In Awe of Him, feel like "the richest (person) on this planet", for I don't know where I would be had God not given me this gift.

Good morning Dear Mr. Artist.... LOL This morning I went through all my craft supplies. I decided to throw some things out such as those really cheap pens you get sent as fund raiser gimmicks etc.... It wasn't a lot but these are of such poor quality... it's just not worth keeping. Anyways... all my markers were sampled to see if they still have ink.... and I am happy to report that I have a good supply or paint brushes... markers ... pencils.... all kinds of gel pens and even a gold and silver marker type pen. This was my artistic task for the day and I am also trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle... so I finally got the border constructed. I am not going to allow myself to get overwhelmed... Will simply open the page for the day and add to it through out the day, I have no idea what I'm doing so it's going to be simple. Have a wonderful day.

I was reading your conversation and blue-lighted the adjectives, nouns, verbs...there was a time when I took negative ownership of these parts of "speech and description" and as a result it broke my well being. (Stay with me here.)

But when I discovered fun things in my life that I truly believe God blessed me with, and as a release, the negative vibes began to melt away, slowly;

As an 8 year old looking at a handful of colored sphered marbles mesmerized me as a kid. When we played marbles it was fun and built up my hand and eye coordination. I was relaxed because the kids didn't spend time fighting, we just enjoyed playing marbles.

I began playing the guitar at 11 years and after learning my basic chords started composing chord progressions and lyrics. It came natural.

I love doing Word Puzzles. It's good therapy and relaxes me when filling in the words, it just comes to me.

There are other fun things I can share and I truly believe God allows me to enjoy in between the responsibilities. And it doesn't have to cost a lot.

When I pray for peace and calm the Lord helps me think better and can shoot a marble, sing a song or focus on the right word for the puzzle.

God bless everyone.

Bob

 

[Big Moose]

I was reading your conversation and blue-lighted the adjectives, nouns, verbs...there was a time when I took negative ownership of these parts of "speech and description" and as a result it broke my well being. (Stay with me here.)

But when I discovered fun things in my life that I truly believe God blessed me with, and as a release, the negative vibes began to melt away, slowly;

As an 8 year old looking at a handful of colored sphered marbles mesmerized me as a kid. When we played marbles it was fun and built up my hand and eye coordination. I was relaxed because the kids didn't spend time fighting, we just enjoyed playing marbles.

I began playing the guitar at 11 years and after learning my basic chords started composing chord progressions and lyrics. It came natural.

I love doing Word Puzzles. It's good therapy and relaxes me when filling in the words, it just comes to me.

There are other fun things I can share and I truly believe God allows me to enjoy in between the responsibilities. And it doesn't have to cost a lot.

When I pray for peace and calm the Lord helps me think better and can shoot a marble, sing a song or focus on the right word for the puzzle.

God bless everyone.

Bob

Now all you need is a puzzle that is a literal word search. You'd probably lose your marbles putting it together! HA!

 

[Davey Do]

You know, I frequent different websites- nurses, artists, old folks- and must say, this is the most involved, interesting, in-depth conversation had on any of them.

Thank you In Awe of Him for sharing start of a new artistic journey which will take you to new & magical places, bobinfaith for your interesting perspective and background, and to Big Moose for your involvement support, and humor! I cherish your words and the mental I ages they conjure.



This one was originally inadvertently submitted to another thread;

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[In Awe of Him]

I have the back-bone of a tower of lemon flavoured JELL-O.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA and still HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Love it.

 

[In Awe of Him]

How could I have missed good old Mickey Souse??????...... I went straight for the tower of jell-o.

Oh my goodness..... this made my DAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Every town has a Mickey Souse. My town has two. HAHAHA

 

[In Awe of Him]

Ok.... so.... I am thinking really hard about something you said Davey Do... and it's the encouragement you gave regarding making a cartoon character of yourself.

My sense of humour is very juvenile ( for lack of a better word HAHA ).... Before joining these forums and introducing myself as a cute little black lamb.... I would send people this photo if they wanted to see what I looked like... I had so much fun with this little character... oh my goodness...

Now.... I have to explain.... I do wear glasses but they do not make my eyes look BIG.... However.... the attitude that this owl has seems to be a reflection of my personality....Loud... and in your FACE if you will but not in a bad way.

My best friend Margaret is of totally opposite character and I still don't think she will ever get used to the things that happen when she is with me.

As far as a natural caricature.... I just have no idea how that would play out. Anyways... this post makes no sense whatsoever.... but it sure brought back fond memories for me. HAHA.

 

[Davey Do]

I am truly enjoying this discussion with you, In Awe of Him, both because of my love of art and your post/personality.

We all have a need to feel important and will do our best at any given time or circumstance to fulfill our needs. Social media is a convenient method in which to fulfill that need to feel important, however it is a fleeting method of external gratification.

Joseph Campbell encouraged us to "follow our bliss", that which heightens our consciousness, rejuvenates us, and can regularly be accessed. Our faith in God, examining that faith, practicing it, discussing it and/or religious studies, etc. is a worthy endeavor. The pursuit of art falls into that category, as it is existential and can be organically convoluted, taking us to new places and experiences.

When we are able to make our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs into something tangible, it is a cathartically therapeutic process, whether that act be expressive, such as music or dance, or in the plastic arts, such as drawings, paintings, sculptures, etc.

When we create our own personal comic character based on us, we give rise to ourselves which can expand our consciousness and allows us to better understand ourselves, others, and God. I have been blessed numerous times in my life by people who allowed me to express myself openly and realistically, from a Pastor to an Art Therapist and many, many others. When I allowed myself to express myself in the same manner, new worlds opened unto me and my horizons were expanded. My chosen method of expression is cartoon-Loke art and humor.

Your label of "juvenile" humor is as good as any because it's who you are. Oscar Wilde said something along the lines of, "The artist who ceases to do art for himself ceases to be an artist". If YOU find your juvenile humor comfortable, use it! In my first post in this thread, I mentioned that these daily cartoons were created for no reason other than expression and self-entertainment. I wish to share my art with others in hopes that they, too, will find the cartoons entertaining, but in following Mr. Wilde's premise, I do them for me.

Nursing was a very stressful career, and whenever I had the time, whether it be two minutes or a half an hour, I would do art, always carrying a pocket journal with me. Allowing myself to be totally self-involved also allowed me to give to others in my service to them, for I am not naturally a giving and patient person. Art allows me to give to myself, and in turn, give to others.

I would encourage anybody and everybody to create their own comic character for therapeutic reasons, whether it be an involved one or a stick man and have gat character say and do things you cannot or will not do. It's a freeing experience. And don't concern yourself with its quality which can always change. My character went through about a half dozen transitions before he became the current Davey Do, and he continues to change, whether he appears serious, as an adult, or toddler.

Good luck on your endeavor, In Awe of Him, and I hope you experience the same pleasure and reckoning in your pursuit as have I.

 

[bobinfaith]

You know, I frequent different websites- nurses, artists, old folks- and must say, this is the most involved, interesting, in-depth conversation had on any of them.

Thank you In Awe of Him for sharing start of a new artistic journey which will take you to new & magical places, bobinfaith for your interesting perspective and background, and to Big Moose for your involvement support, and humor! I cherish your words and the mental I ages they conjure.



This one was originally inadvertently submitted to another thread;

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lol! These art pieces remind me of the Mickey Mouse Club song and Donovan's Mellow Yellow.

 

[Davey Do]

lol! These art pieces remind me of the Mickey Mouse Club song and Donovan's Mellow Yellow.

bobinfaith, I do believe that you "get" me, in that those were the precise references of inspiration!

The "tower of jell-o" came from an early MASH episode where Hawkeye said to an indecisive higher officer, "Thank you. You've been a tower of jell-o".
'.

 

[In Awe of Him]

THE STUGGLE is REAL...... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA and still HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[In Awe of Him]

The above attempt to caricature myself is what HORROR movies are made of. HAHAHAHAHAHA and it gets funnier every time I look at it.

I am trying to promote the FACT that I have a BIG personality... NOT that I have acted in Alfred Hitchcock movies!

I think it I will stick to WRITING and perhaps use the occasional coloured markers. HAHAHAHAHA.